Geezer players excel as Rocket speculation begins

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	At this rate, San Francisco's Barry Bonds could have his eighth MVP award by the end of the season. AP
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I. Geezer ballplayers: Pouring over the statistical league leaders Thursday, I found myself continually asking one question: Man, how old is that dude? After a series of birth date checks, I confirmed a budding suspicion: America's pastime is being shaped by a number of players who are far past their time. Currently many of the games top players boast birth dates in the decade of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll -- the 1960s.

Among this legion of old fogies, a handful of players truly stand out for their contributions. I present to you this season's 10 best early producers born in the '60s. For simplicity sake, let's call them the Flower Children.

10. Orlando Hernandez, New York Mets (age 37): Not to call El Duque a liar or anything ... but that listed age is a bit questionable. Regardless, Orlando posted a 2.53 ERA in his first five starts, though arm trouble landed him on the DL late last month.

9. Tom Glavine, New York Mets (41): Just seven wins away from one of baseball's most exclusive clubs (300 wins), Glavine is still dealing with pinpoint accuracy and has three wins to show for it.

8. Sammy Sosa, Texas (39): When the Rangers invited Sosa to spring training, there wasn't a baseball fan in the country who would have predicted Sosa would log seven dingers and 21 RBIs through the season's first 28 games.

7. Curt Schilling, Boston (40): Take out two rough outings in Schilling's first six starts and the hurler owns a 1.00 ERA.

6. Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia (44): It's hard to find anything more entertaining than watching Moyer dominate major-league hitters with a fastball that maxes out at 82 MPH. Seriously, this guy consistently works in the 70s, yet he boasts a 3-1 record and 2.65 ERA.

5. Kenny Lofton, Texas (39): Is it 1996? Lofton and his 39-year-old legs are tied for the American League lead in steals (11).

4. John Smoltz, Atlanta (39): Smoltzy, who is 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA, is just 11 days away from the big 4-0, but the Braves don't care -- they just gave him an extension that could last through 2010.

3. Moises Alou, New York Mets (40): As you can see by the number of Mets on this list, Omar Minaya has no problem employing the elderly. Alou inked a one-year deal and he's raking to the tune of .348.

2. Todd Jones, Detroit (39): As usual, Jones possesses an abnormally poor strikeout-to-walk ratio for a closer (4:5), but the wily vet always finds a way to finish out the game. Jones is tied for the major-league lead in saves with 10.

1. Barry Bonds, San Francisco (42): One of the oldest players in the Senior Circuit, Bonds has to be the NL MVP thus far. The cleanup hitter in an otherwise punchless lineup, Bonds is hitting .348 with nine homers, 21 RBIs and an inhuman 1.294 OPS.

II. Harold Leroy Halladay III: Yup, that's the name on the birth certificate, though I get the feeling that the Blue Jays ace probably prefers "Roy." Halladay earned AL pitcher of the month honors for April, going 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA and miniscule 0.89 WHIP. Behind the strength of his bowling ball sinker, Doc's efficiency is almost unparalleled (he leads AL starters with just 13.56 pitches per inning). Although his ground ball-to-fly ball ratio is currently below his career average, Halladay has atoned for this discrepancy with a 33:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Flanked by an offense that produces over five runs per game, Halladay could be in line for his second 20-win season, barring another freak injury

III. Rule 5 rookies: Every December, at those scintillating Winter Meetings between general managers, major league baseball holds the Rule 5 Draft. Basically, any player who has been with an organization for a few years and isn't on the 40-man roster is eligible to be drafted. (If you're pining for a more thorough explanation, consult my main man, Wiki by clicking here). The draft doesn't yield a ton of high-value picks, but every so often, there is a stud to be had. Last season's Rule 5 darling was NL All-Star Dan Uggla.

This year, a pair of Rule Fivers -- Cincinnati's Josh Hamilton and Kansas City's Joakim Soria -- have made their presence felt. A former No. 1 overall pick by the Devil Rays, Hamilton's career was temporarily derailed by drugs and alcohol. But the outfielder -- just 25 -- has excelled in a Reds uniform, hitting .264 with six home runs and 14 RBIs and earning NL rookie of the month honors in April. Joakim Soria -- originally a member of the Padres organization -- has filled in brilliantly at closer for injured Royal Octavio Dotel. Soria is 5-for-5 in save opportunities and has displayed a highly advanced command of the strike zone.

IV. MLB Spider-Man: Given that we are smack dab in the middle of Spider-Man Week in NYC and the movie Spider-Man 3 opens today, it's only right that we recognize the play of MLB's "Spider-Man," Torii Hunter. In a contract season, Hunter is hitting .330 with six jacks and an AL-high 14 doubles. He has also displayed surprising Spidey-like agility in swiping six bags. If Torii can stay healthy, a 30-30 season is within his grasp ... as is an extremely lucrative contract. But Hunter must beware of the Blue Goblin, Royals pitcher Zack Greinke, who revealed his secret identity with one pitch that can be seen here.

V. O-Dog's offense: Orlando Hudson has always been known for his masterful glovework -- winning Gold Gloves in 2005 and '06 -- but where did this potent bat come from? Hudson posted career highs in almost every offensive category last season -- his first with Arizona -- and now he's on pace to shatter those marks. Having reached base in all 30 games, O-Dog is becoming a viable No. 3 hitter. He leads the D-backs in average (.345), RBIs (23) and OPS (.925).